Try out a Flex-a-Form rear leaf!!!!!

[Heza]

hey hey...this is a follow-up for my last posting on the subject that everyone else except me (seemingly) has given up on! i guess no one really wants that high rear end down at all...personally i think it's ugly.

anyway...i called George Smolen from here in Iraq using my special communications privliges with my squadron and talked to him about the long anticipated/mysterious rear leaf he said he was working on. well, its done...urethane bushings and all and all necessary hardware. i told him there was a good potential for customers because many W-body owners were curious and wanting of such a product instead of using the questionable coilover setup. however, people wanted to see how it looked before anyone bought it. he didnt have pictures and i told him i would trial it on my car so you all could see, but wouldnt be home for another month or so. and this is what he said,

"well, get a hold of one of your buddies and tell them that i will send them one."

he also said he can make it to any ride height you seek. he said currently it is about a 2" drop, but can be changed. someone has to take him up on this offer! then everyone can see what it looks like and the included hardware. it would only be considerate since he did this after being asked to make one for so long!

[Heza]

oh yeah...in case you might not know.....

www.flex-a-form.com has an email link and a phone number

[tyroelite]

i'll do it... i need a new rear leaf anyhow for the tgp since mine is cracked... what needs to be done?

I have a set of Coil-overs on the way which should be ready for install in a month or 2. I could do a real comparison between the two that way. :twisted: :D

[Heza]

call George up at the number on the webpage. talk to him...he just said, "have a buddy get a hold of me to try it out." i sure dont think he was lying to me.

[tyroelite]

will do as soon as class is over, i'll be making a phone call.

[slick]

Once my leaf-spring go's, I'm in. Is it still $200?

[tyroelite]

called him and he said he already has someone there doing the testing for him. hopefully that means there will be pictures available and such for everyone to look at. He didn't really seem like he wanted to send me one. :(

[Heza]

called him and he said he already has someone there doing the testing for him. hopefully that means there will be pictures available and such for everyone to look at. He didn't really seem like he wanted to send me one. :(

well shit...i dont know what to think then. he told me what he told me and that pisses me off. well, whoever that "somebody" is, there better be some pictures out of it or im gonna be well-done pissed and have to call him back.

[GnatGoSplat]

Heh, I would have done it, I have a leaf spring tool already and everything. Oh well. How much was he charging for this "demo" spring?

[Heza]

Heh, I would have done it, I have a leaf spring tool already and everything. Oh well. How much was he charging for this "demo" spring?

i have no idea...he didnt give me that info. he said he could "send" a spring to try out, but didnt mention anything else. just to have someone get a hold of him. id trial it on my car if i were home...if only i were home! but....i plan on bidding on the '96 GP Special Edition that i listed in the auctions section...that doesnt need a leaf. my '94 does though!

[Heza]

everyone, go to this link....

http://www.clubgp.com/newforum/tm.asp?m=1195371&appid=&p=1&mpage=1&key=&language=&tmode=1&smode=1&s=#1198144

it seems...Gearhead43 (Dave) got the leaf to try out.

[TurboSedan]

did Dave ever get that spring?
joshua

[Gearhead43]

Guys,

The CEO of Flex-A-Form told me that it would be 2 weeks til He could ship the spring. So if I don't get it by the end of this week. I will call him back.

I will be doing a how to write up with pictures on how to install this product .

I'll keep in touch.

[TurboSedan]

cool, looking forward to it. personally i can't wait to ditch my TDC coilovers. thanks for the update.
joshua

[Gearhead43]

cool, looking forward to it. personally i can't wait to ditch my TDC coilovers. thanks for the update.
joshua

The TDC's haven't warpped your rear uni-body yet????

[TurboSedan]

The TDC's haven't warpped your rear uni-body yet????

have they warped anyones uni-body yet? that's a myth IMO, i have yet to hear from anyone who has coilovers that caused any damage. i've had mine on for about 60,000+ hard miles now, and everything seems great. i pull the wheels off on a regular basis and check everything closely, but never see any signs of damage.

the reason i hate them is because 1) i'm worried about alignment after changing the ride height (?) 2) noisy over some bumps ecspecially while turning up a driveway etc, and 3) by far the biggest reason i hate my coilovers is because that stupid 'set' screw that keeps the adjuster nut from turning and changing the ride height. i made sure not to overtighten that screw and it still stripped out on both sides. so, in order to change the rear ride height on my car i have to use 2 pipe wrenches just so i can turn the adjuster screw :cuss: i could fix it by drilling the old set screw out, and retapping the adjuster screw for a bigger set screw, but screw it, i've had it with coilovers.
joshua

[ThunderBat]

is changing to a new leaf spring that is supposed to lower my car really worth the $$$ and trouble when the azz sags already? If I changed up would the ride height change from what it is now? I sure don't want it any lower than it is.

[Gearhead43]

From what I understand, the Flex-a-form leaf is supposed to lower the rear 1 1/2 to 2" for STOCK RIDE HEIGHT... So depending on how much your factory spring is "sagging" it may raise or lower the car from it's present position.

I think Flex-a-form will custom make you a spring to suit the ride height you desire if you call them and custom order one. They could probably even produce a lifting spring for those people who tow heavy loads (Or maybe have 600 Lbs of boombox equipment in the trunk??) :wink: :lol:

[Anonymous]

Any news?

[Gearhead43]

NO!!!!.. I might need to take a TRIP out to SC!!! Grrrrrrrr...

[GnatGoSplat]

Wow, they seem slow and unreliable as a company.

I'm almost thinking to go with coilovers since no one else has had problems.

[Anonymous]

I'm almost thinking to go with coilovers since no one else has had problems.

:shock:

[Steve LS]

The thing I'm wondering about the coilover suspension is that the monoleaf is also part of the structure. Im not seeing how thoses two light little trailing arms are tough enough and certainly the light and long suspension arms and tiny bushings and narrow mountings dont cover much to keep wheels where they are supposed to be.

I know I could box or further beef up the trailing arm but does everybody do this ? Its still a small bushing and not much holding the wheels in place compared to the old GM 4 link suspensions. They were 4 links with probably 4-5 times the strength apiece. I realize these cars are smaller but I believe the monoleaf is the strongest structural part of the W suspension.

You take that monoleaf out of there and theres just those 3 cheezy sheet metal arms locating each tire how will they react is the going gets dicey ?

My Regal is now sinking in the back, which I dont mind but the ride quality is bad too. Like it doesnt travel smoothly. So Im wondering how the coilovers ride and handle ? I mean do they turn the car into a hopping robin ? Too firm or lack of travel really doesnt improve handling on typical not so smooth back roads.

I was also looking and didnt see why refabrication the seat locations for the monoleaf couldnt give a drop of at least one inch with stock ride and suspension travel.

[GnatGoSplat]

You can get upgraded trailing arms. The tubular ones designed as a GM Performance upgrade for the 97-03 Grand Prix will work on a first gen.
The suspension arms are probably big enough. I don't think the 95-99 Monte/Lumina suspension arms were all that much beefier. If they are, I THINK they may transplant over anyway. Not sure on that though.

Everything else can be beefed up for coilovers. My only concern is metal fatigue, warping, or stress fractures in the unibody strut towers themselves since they are very thin metal and not much else to them. It seems they were not designed to do anything more than support the damping forces of the struts. However, the only people who have reported coilover issues and unibody problems have never shown any proof to back it up. In fact, they vague descriptions I've heard of coilover problems also sounded more like strut rods punching through rotted out upper strut mounts, which could happen to any car with bad upper mounts.

Yes, refabrication of the leaf spring seat location certainly could give a 1" drop and may be the most inexpensive (but not necessarily the easiest) way to go.

[Vegeta]

The rear suspension on our cars is total bullshit. RSM bushings wont save this pile...so sad. The mono leaf is another POS that needs to be burned in hell for every being used on our cars. I pulled the rear subframe off the parts car so I can clean it up and use it onthe cutlass. The trailing arms...joke. GMPP ones look much nicer and are probably all most people will need. The laterals are enough to make baby jesus cry. Mankind let jesus down on these. Ive bent 2, ive talked to a few others that bent them, and the parts car has 1 bent. No I didnt offroad that poor bastard, they just suck. GM newer version might work but I need one for testing (ok 1 of each, but at 40 bucks a pop GM can bend over and fuck themselves with it).

After cutting up the 92 GP, I too would want to reinforce the rear of the car for coil overs, or just stock. I think the rear glass is the most structural support we have for the rear.

[GnatGoSplat]

I found pics I took of my friend's 95 Monte Z34 rear lateral arms.
They're a bigger joke than ours, just stamped sheet metal. At least ours, as shitty as they are, are fully boxed, but you're right, they bend easily. An idiot tow truck driver pulled my sister's Cutlass out of a ditch by the lateral arm and bent it. My stepbrother inherited the car, and the bent lateral arm snapped at the bend and he almost wrecked.

Anyway, forget the Monte/Luminas for stronger lateral arms. Maybe the ones off a 97+ will work, but I kind of doubt it.

So you think the rear strut towers are weak looking too? Ugh. I was hoping it was just me.

[Steve LS]

So tell me what you all think is wrong with the monoleaf ?

My Regal was a 232,000 mile car when I bought it. Women and Thruway driven but still I was impressed with the handling of the car. Im not saying its like a Ferrari but I really pounded down 25 miles every morning through some windy country roads. What I'm thinking now is the monoleaf didnt hold up to the abuse. I do know I would not want to pound that suspension like that without that spring and its mounting points in there.

[sniperi311]

so has anybody heard any word on the new monoleaf yet, or seen any pics if it installed????

[GnatGoSplat]

So tell me what you all think is wrong with the monoleaf ?


Nothing, if you want to stay stock height with stock handling.
Many of us want our rides lowered for a sportier stance. None of the aftermarket spring companies (Eibach, Suspension Techniques, etc.) are equipped to manufacture a custom monoleaf.

That's why people are so interested in the Flex-A-Form leaf, they're the only company that has claimed they have one.

Honestly, I think TGP's handle extremely well, better than any other W-body I've ridden in, so I'll probably just get a TGP rear spring, modify the upper spring perch to lower it, and hope it comes out matching my front ST springs in height.

[Justin]

Has anyone checked the spring codes from a TGP to make sure they weren't used on any other Ws? My old '91 SE B4U sat pretty low in the rear too, a guy would almost think it would have gotten the same spring as the TGP.

[GnatGoSplat]

My TGP rear spring is an RHH.
A Turbo STE in the junkyard also has an RHH rear spring. I've never seen an RHH rear spring in anything other than a Turbo. That doesn't mean it wasn't used in anything else, just that I haven't seen it.

[Steve LS]

How is it you identify this leaf ?
What code is in Regal GS ? or Cutlass w/FE3 ?
Anyone ever priced new spring ?
Whats the best droped front spring ? ST ? who, what, where ?

[GnatGoSplat]

2 ways to identify the leaf...

- Look on RPO code sheet for a code starting with 0 (zero). Take that code, change the 0 to an R and that's the spring code.
- Look on spring itself. Should have 3-letter code starting with R somewhere on it. I can't remember if it's engraved into the spring itself or on a sticker, but I think it's engraved.

A new spring is around $300-something I think!!!

Best drop spring - I don't know. Intrax will take you down the most (1.8"). Eibach and ST only take you down 1.25".
People buy the ST spring because it's the ONLY one where the fronts are available separately. So it's either spend $250 for a set of Eibach or Intrax springs with unusable rears that you set on you garage floor for the spiders to make their homes, or spend $94 shipped for a set of ST fronts only from JC Whitney.

[Compufreek]

I don't remember the kids name but someone, I think on this forum, had gone to a suspension shop in canada and had a leaf made to drop him but I can't remember where I read it.

[Bake82]

I don't remember the kids name but someone, I think on this forum, had gone to a suspension shop in canada and had a leaf made to drop him but I can't remember where I read it.


It was air2be I believe but he sent me this info for the company...


http://on.finditincanada.ca/app/obj?oid=535450&returnTo=%2Fapp%2Fsearch%2Fcat-103321

[Compufreek]

Have you been in contact with the shop? I was thinking about looking in my area for a shop to do it but it is not likely so I may have to order it.

[Bake82]

No I haven't. I'm going to give them a call in the spring once I find out how much spare $$ I have and if I can afford it. According to air2be it was $400 cdn installed. So I'm sure it would be about the same. Right now it doesn't look good that I'm going to be able to get it, but we'll see. I'll let ppl know what they quote me.

[phantomshado]

I think 1uvakind got a custom leaf spring too, his cutlass was dropped a mile and a half too.

[Anonymous]

Any update????????????? :?

[Gearhead43]

I guess I'll need to make a trip up there and GET the spring myself.... Gonna be a few weeks at the most . Busy with AutoFair, NC work right now It'll have to be after the first weekend of April.

[Anonymous]

OK, just wondering. I'm anxious to see how this thing works out.

[Gearhead43]

WHOOOOO-HOOOO :!: :!: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :D

The UPS Man dropped off the Flex-a-Form Leaf Spring a tmy house today :!: :!: :!: :!:
SO ... one less trip to TO MAKE!.. Thank YOU for getting the ball rolling on this Heza!!!

NOW comes the hard part!!!!Putting it on....LOL

[J]

HURRY!!!!!!!! DO IT NOW NOW NOW! lol... Maybe i should have waited for this and got the front lowering spings inseatd of the the coilovers.
Does anyone know or think they may know how the ride is? I talked to a guy at NOPI with the black gp with the colors painted on it and he said his rode like ass! so good luck gentleman

[TurboSedan]

:P :P :P :) :)

i can't wait to see pics!!! if this spring lowers the rear enough and works with no problems, i'm ditching my TDC coilovers ASAP.
joshua

[Gearhead43]

Well, I looked at the rear leaf I got today, and yessssss. It feels light!Almost too light for the car... :lol: I don't know what code the spring is made in mind with. I guess I'll have to email Flex-a-form for the actual specs.

I would assume that it's made just a tad stiffer than the FE3?? But that is just a guess. I did hear that Flex-A-Form does take custom orders for higher rate springs. Stay tuned.

Has far as getting it on the car, Mr Smolen was supposed to send the spring almost a month ago.... So now that car show season has started and I might need to wait til fall to do this job. Since I also have the Monte Carlo ST springs to install on the front too.

[91cutty]

There's a custom spring shop about 3 blocks from where I work here in Winnipeg. I'm gonna make a trip down there on my lunchbreak tomorrow and hopefully get some info and a quote on a 2" drop spring.